You can travel through much of Korea using cards.
But carrying a small amount of Korean won is still useful.
Cash can help with:
Transportation card recharge in some locations
Small purchases
Markets
Backup when a card fails
Certain older machines or services
You do not need to carry a large amount.
Korean currency
Korea uses the:
Korean won (KRW / ₩)
Common banknotes include:
₩1,000
₩5,000
₩10,000
₩50,000
Coins are also used for smaller amounts.
Where can I exchange money?
Common options include:
Airport exchange counters
Banks
Licensed currency exchange businesses
Selected hotels
Exchange rates and fees vary.
Airport exchange may be convenient, while rates elsewhere may differ.
If you need cash immediately after landing, exchanging a modest amount at the airport can be practical.
Using ATMs
Many ATMs are available throughout Korean cities.
However, not every ATM accepts every foreign-issued card.
Look for ATMs indicating support for:
International cards
Global cards
Foreign cards
ATMs may charge fees.
Your home bank may also charge a separate international withdrawal fee.
Before using an ATM
Check:
Your international withdrawal limit
Card PIN
Bank overseas ATM fee
Daily withdrawal limit
If your card is declined at one ATM, that does not necessarily mean it will fail everywhere.
Try an ATM that clearly supports international cards.
Avoid withdrawing too much cash
Korea is generally card-friendly.
There is usually little reason for a short-term visitor to carry a very large amount of cash.
Carrying only what you reasonably need can reduce the risk of:
Loss
Theft
Difficulty converting unused currency later
Keep emergency cash separately
Do not keep all cards and cash in the same wallet.
A simple travel setup can be:
Wallet
Daily card + small cash
Separate bag or hotel safe
Backup card + emergency cash
This gives you another option if your main wallet is lost.
Medical travelers
If you expect a large medical payment, do not assume cash is necessary.
Confirm payment with the clinic before withdrawing large amounts.
For significant transactions, cards or other clinic-supported methods may be safer and easier to document.
Cash checklist
✓ Small amount of KRW
✓ International ATM support checked
✓ ATM limit known
✓ Withdrawal fees checked
✓ Backup payment method
✓ Emergency cash stored separately